Coast Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Mzee Mwinyi has opposed plans to dissolve Kenya’s Regional Development Authorities, arguing that the institutions play a strategic role in coordinating shared resources and supporting development across county boundaries.
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‎His opposition comes as the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Regional Development continues public participation on the Regional Development Authorities Laws (Repeal) Bill, 2026 (National Assembly Bill No. 31 of 2026), which proposes the dissolution of the country’s six Regional Development Authorities.
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‎The committee is scheduled to receive views from members of the public tomorrow, October 23, as part of the legislative process that will inform consideration of the proposed law.
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‎Mwinyi maintains that the authorities remain important in implementing development programmes that cut across multiple counties, particularly in areas involving shared water resources, irrigation, infrastructure and regional economic development.
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‎The six authorities targeted by the proposed legislation are the Coast Development Authority (CDA), Kerio Valley Development Authority, Lake Basin Development Authority, Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority, Ewaso Ng’iro South River Basin Development Authority and Ewaso Ng’iro North River Basin Development Authority.

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‎Under the proposed Bill, the dissolution of the authorities would be accompanied by the transfer of their assets and liabilities to the State Department for the National Treasury, according to the available details of the proposal.
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‎The proposed changes have placed the future of the regional development agencies under scrutiny, with questions emerging over how their existing projects, resources and responsibilities would be managed if Parliament approves the legislation.
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‎The public participation exercise offers Kenyans an opportunity to present their views on whether the authorities should be dissolved, retained or restructured to improve service delivery and accountability.

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‎For the Coast region, the debate is particularly significant given the CDA’s role in coordinating development initiatives across the region. The outcome could influence the future management of projects and programmes designed to address development needs that extend beyond individual county boundaries.
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‎The committee is expected to consider the views submitted by the public as Parliament continues examining the proposed repeal legislation.
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‎The final decision will determine whether Kenya’s six Regional Development Authorities continue operating under the existing framework or whether their functions and resources are transferred under a new administrative arrangement.